Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe, Ghana qualify for Nations Cup
Guinea-Bissau reached Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in their history without kicking a ball on Sunday, as Zimbabwe and Ghana also qualified for Gabon 2017.
Kenya beat Guinea-Bissau’s closest challengers Congo Brazzaville 2-1 in Group E to secure an historic qualification for the African minnows who defeated Zambia on Saturday.
Zimbabwe were 3-0 winners over Malawi in Harare, and Ghana won 2-0 away to Mauritius.
Guinea-Bissau, from the tiny former Portuguese colony in West Africa, bolstered their chances of a first Cup of Nations appearance after a 3-2 win over 2012 champions Zambia on Saturday in front of a packed 20,000-capacity national stadium in Bissau.
But they needed Congo Brazzaville to lose in Kenya to seal their place in Gabon, and Kenya duly obliged, coming from behind to seal a 2-1 victory in Nairobi.
Congo took an early lead in the Group E match through Ismael Gonzalez who converted a 19th minute penalty.
But the Harambee Stars came back with goals from Ayub Timbe and Eric Johanna to seal Guinea-Bissau’s qualification.
Guinea-Bissau, captained by France-based Bocundji Ca have 10 points in Group E, four more than Zambia and Congo Brazzaville. Kenya are bottom, two points further adrift.
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